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Jotun Coatings Help Golden Gate of the North Withstand Arctic Extremes

SANDEFJORD, Norway — The Hålogaland Bridge in Narvik, Norway, the longest suspension bridge within the Arctic Circle, has opened. The bridge is coated with Jotun protective solutions to ensure long-lasting anti-corrosive performance in temperatures that can fluctuate by 40 degrees throughout the year, with winds in excess of 80 miles per hour.

Both locals and visiting engineers alike have dubbed Hålogaland Bridge the most beautiful bridge in the world. Spanning 1533 meters across the Romsbak Fjord, it cost NOK 3.5 billion ($418 million) and took five years to build. Constructed from 30 separate sections, with 7,000 tons of bridge deck, the project is a vital infrastructure development within the far north of Norway, cutting the distance between the regional centers of Narvik and Bjerkvik by 18 kilometers.

As Hege Karset Bjorgum, Global Concept Director Infrastructure, Jotun, explains, it is an important national undertaking, with an international flavor. “Hålogaland Bridge carries the main national north-south roadway, the E6, over the 300-meter-deep fjord waters, providing a direct connection that is central to regional development,” said Karset Bjorgum. “It is fundamentally important to the local populace, but also to Norway itself and, as such, demanded the highest standards of construction and protection.

“Working in close collaboration with China Railway Shanhaiguan Bridge Group, a specialist in the construction of world-class bridges, Jotun delivered and applied its high-quality protective coatings to all 30 sections, over a 10-month period. The unique Jotamastic steel coating will enable this landmark project to endure the very harshest natural environments, linking communities, improving communications, and delivering lasting benefits for the local economies.”

With two elegant A-shaped superstructure towers, rising 179 meters above the water, and a central suspended deck spanning 1145 meters, Hålogaland bridge has been compared to San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge. Over 900 workers were involved during the five-year build period. Jotun’s role was key.

“Alongside the delivery and application of the product, we undertook a thorough training program with the main contractors and oversaw the quality control of all surface application and finishing,” Karset Bjorgum said. “This involved stringent technical inspections in China, as well as delivering on-site expertise during the actual installation process in Narvik.

“Only the very highest standards are good enough on infrastructure projects of this magnitude and our close collaboration with other key stakeholders, at every stage of the build, ensures this. Jotun is immensely proud to be a partner on the Hålogaland bridge project.”

Jotun is a recognized leader within the protective coatings segment, with involvement in landmark projects throughout the world.

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